Exploiting Polarimetry in Littoral Surveillance

In Phase I the team of TSC and SDL will initiate an effort to collect polarimetric target and clutter signatures, identify polarimetric features and algorithms for detecting and classifying targets, and understanding the sensitivity to target aspect angle, grazing angle and radar resolution. In performing the Phase I program, the team will: 1) identify a robust set of polarimetric decomposition and target classification algorithms for resolving small targets, wake signatures, sea clutter and littoral clutter features, 2) collect X-band small ship and clutter data in the Great Salt Lake area, and 3) initiate the modification (through CDR) of an existing SDL radar for operation at C-band. Under the bridge effort our team will: 1) form target signatures and generate polarimetric features using the database using HRR-D, SAR and ISAR processing, and establish the best target imaging strategies and radar parameters, 2) apply the polarimetric feature extraction and target classification algorithms to the collected radar data and to other databases to optimize their performance and minimize the processing time, 3) order the long-lead items for the C-band radar and initiate the radar modifications, and 4) assess alternative locations for performing Phase II data collections.